Northwest Iowa (Radio Iowa) — A state hydrologist says recent rains have replentished drinking water supplies in key segments of the state, but significant areas of moderate drought remain in an area extending from here in the northwest to southeast Iowa.
Tim Hall of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources says northwest Iowa has been the most challenging part of the state for the last several years when it comes to drinking water.
Livestock operations here in northwest Iowa place a high demand on water, too, according to Hall. The rain that’s fallen in northwest Iowa during the month of August means the surface water supply has improved significantly. However, in south central Iowa there are small segments where extreme drought conditions persist. Hall says drinking water supplies are stable there.
The two percent of the state that remains in the “extreme drought” category is mainly in Clarke and Wapello Counties.
A monthly water summary from the Department of Natural Resources indicates Guthrie Center has gotten the most rain this month, with 9.5-inches falling. Here in Sheldon, as of Friday morning, we’ve received 4.06-inches of rain during August. That total is more than the rain received in June and July combined.
